It just might be a bride’s worst nightmare—not to mention the father of the bride, a restaurateur who had prepared over 600 turkey meatballs (his daughter’s favorite) for the cocktail hour. But for Jenna Belisonzi and Tyler Papaz, their dream of an outdoor wedding on September 6, 2008, was derailed by Hurricane Hanna, which was scheduled to show up just in time for their big day.

After meeting as teens (she grew up in Franklin Lakes; he in Ringwood) and getting engaged during a trip to Arizona, Jenna and Tyler, both 26, knew they wanted to say their “I dos” in a lush garden. The plan seemed simple enough: They would get married in a traditional Catholic Church ceremony on Friday, then “renew” their vows the next day at Willowwood Arboretum in Chester, followed by a nighttime reception underneath a tent.

One other thing Jenna wanted: her father, Bob Belisonzi, owner of the Mason Jar Restaurant in Mahwah, to cater the affair. “At first, I wasn’t too sure because I really didn’t want to work on my daughter’s wedding day,” explains Bob. “But it was something she wanted, and how could I say no?”

Besides the meatballs, Bob had prepared many of Jenna and Tyler’s favorite foods for the reception—including homemade pasta, lamb chops, and jalapeno cornbread—and was also supplying the liquor. So when it became clear that the venue would have to be changed, everyone worried they wouldn’t find a location that would let them bring in their own food and drinks.

After dozens of phone calls, Tyler’s dad was able to secure the Hyatt Morristown, which offered a meeting room for the ceremony, a conference room for the reception, and a kitchen for the bride’s father to use for catering. “They couldn’t have been more accommodating,” raves Jenna. “Then it was just a matter of getting on the phone with the vendors and guests to let them know about the change. Everyone was great!”

The couple’s wedding planners—Angela Rando and Alida Monaghan of Juliet Events in Ocean Township—then ran to the craft store to find some last-minute decorations for the new venue.

“We were relying on the gardens to serve as the wedding décor, so we really had to scramble,” says Angela. With just $200 in hand, the duo managed to achieve a “garden-feel”—even indoors. Silk rose petals lined the ceremony aisle, silk flowers adorned the altar, and two birdhouses featured the guests’ place cards hanging from ribbons.